Are Arsenal Still in the Running for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar?

Arsene Wenger made a promising move earlier in the transfer market by signing the deadly French forward Alexandre Lacazette, but since then, business has dried up at the Emirates. Going on the first two Premier League performances of the season, it seems clear the Frenchman needs to add more talent to his ranks if the Gunners are to compete for the title. Fans are desperately hoping that Arsenal can bring in a few more top quality players before the window slams shut at the end of the month, with the number one target being Monaco’s Thomas Lemar.

With the Alexis Sanchez situation still unresolved, the worry is that a last minute sale followed by a deadline day panic buy to replace the Chilean could well be on the cards. Recent reports suggest that Pep Guardiola still wants his former Barcelona charge to join him at Manchester City, and the Daily Star believes that a bid of £70 million would be enough to convince Arsenal to part ways with the player. The North London club have been linked with a few attackers that could play in the 28-year-old’s position, but if they do not move swiftly those targets could be lost.

One of the players that Wenger has been keen on signing is Lemar. The 21-year-old was a pivotal cog in the awesome Leonardo Jardim side which stormed to the Ligue 1 title last season with an eight point lead on their closest rivals Paris Saint-Germain. In that campaign, Lemar scored nine goals and provided ten assists, and he is exactly the kind of tricky winger that Wenger loves. It is understood that Arsenal would have to pay around £45 million for the France international, who is also thought to have been pursued by Liverpool, but if the club were to receive £70 million for Sanchez then it would seem like a great bit of business. After all, Lemar is seven years younger than the Arsenal ace, and has his best years ahead of him.

Certainly, Lemar could have provided the cutting edge in the recent 1-0 loss to Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. On the opening day of the season, betting tips sites were expecting Arsenal to narrowly beat Leicester, which they did in the 4-3 thriller. But prior to the tie against the Potters, Wenger’s men were widely favoured to make use of their far superior fire power and prevail. There is no doubt that Lacazette could turn into an excellent signing for the Gunners, but he needs strong players around him to draw defenders out of position, put in accurate passes, and create chances.

Perhaps soon things will start clicking for this Arsenal side with or without Sanchez or an elite replacement. There are still a number of top players in the side, including the likes of Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin. Arsenal fans would go into the new season with a much more relaxed view on things, however, if Wenger managed to bring in a player of Lemar’s stature before the transfer window closes. Although Lacazette was an excellent signing, the Gunners need a bit more firepower to challenge at the top.